newark police

Photo from the Newark Star-Ledger of Newark Police responding to escalating protests outside of the Fourth Precinct on July 13, 1967. Protests began after John Smith, an African-American taxi driver, was beaten by Newark Police at the Fourth Precinct the night before. — Credit: Newark Star-Ledger, Newark Public Library

Caption from United Press International: “Newark, NJ: A Negro is taken into custody by police of the 4th precinct for refusing to move from area swept by a wave of window-smashing and looting early July 13th. The violence followed a noisy demonstration by Negroes protesting the arrest and alleged beating of a cab driver.” — Credit: United Press International, Newark Public Library

Excerpt from the “Chronological Summary of the Newark Riots” prepared by the Newark Police Department. The excerpt includes accounts of the arrest of John Smith on July 12, 1967 and the ensuing confrontations that took place that evening in front of the Fourth Precinct. The arrest and beating of Smith is considered the incident that “sparked” the 1967 Newark rebellion. — Credit: New Jersey State Archive